{"id":3244,"date":"2025-05-26T20:45:32","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T20:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/?page_id=3244"},"modified":"2025-08-19T16:13:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T14:13:30","slug":"mauritanian-iron-ore-train","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/mauritanian-iron-ore-train\/","title":{"rendered":"Mauritanian Iron Ore Train"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><header class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:20px;--awb-padding-bottom:112px;--awb-padding-left:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:65px;--awb-padding-right-small:10px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:39px;--awb-padding-left-small:10px;--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-background-color:#1b2226;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_3_5 3_5 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-stretch\" style=\"--awb-padding-bottom:25px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color6);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:10px 10px 10px 10px;--awb-width-large:60%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0.8%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0.5%;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.2%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:20px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:20px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-margin-top-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-right-small:10px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:10px;--awb-padding-left-small:10px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color4);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:10px 10px 0px 0px;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-content-layout-row fusion-flex-align-items-center\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-margin-left:43px;--awb-sep-color:var(--awb-color7);--awb-font-size:40px;\"><h1 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;\">The Mauritanian Iron Ore Train<\/h1><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" alt=\"Black icon of an ore train carriage.\" title=\"Ore Train Black Icon\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ore-Train-Black-Icon.webp\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3319\"\/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-left:26px;--awb-padding-left-small:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:22px;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p>DEPARTURE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-2 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-left-small:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-small:3.84%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:22px;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-bottom:5px;\"><p>ARRIVAL<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-3 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-left:25px;--awb-padding-right-small:15px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:48px;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:48px;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:0%;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><div id=\"split-flap-6a05b2ce3bfc7\" class=\"split-flap-display\" data-value=\"0\" data-values=\"Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam, Netherlands\" data-width=\"11\" data-size=\"xs\" data-theme=\"dark\" data-chars=\"alpha\" data-align=\"left\" data-padding=\"\" data-loop=\"true\" data-speed=\"50\" data-iterations-min=\"8\" data-iterations-max=\"12\" data-cycle-delay=\"3000\" data-font=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-left:25px;--awb-padding-right-small:15px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:48px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:48px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:20px;--awb-spacing-left-small:3.84%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><div id=\"split-flap-6a05b2ce3c1ef\" class=\"split-flap-display\" data-value=\"0\" data-values=\"Nouadhibou, Mauritania; Nouadhibou, Mauritania\" data-width=\"11\" data-size=\"xs\" data-theme=\"dark\" data-chars=\"alpha\" data-align=\"left\" data-padding=\"\" data-loop=\"true\" data-speed=\"50\" data-iterations-min=\"8\" data-iterations-max=\"12\" data-cycle-delay=\"3000\" data-font=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-5 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:8px;--awb-padding-left:26px;--awb-padding-left-small:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:22px;--awb-line-height:1;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-top:4px;--awb-margin-bottom:5px;\"><p>DATE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-6 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-left:25px;--awb-padding-right-small:15px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:48px;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:48px;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:0%;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><div id=\"split-flap-6a05b2ce3c706\" class=\"split-flap-display\" data-value=\"2 january 2024\" data-values=\"\" data-width=\"14\" data-size=\"xxs\" data-theme=\"dark\" data-chars=\"dark\" data-align=\"left\" data-padding=\"\" data-loop=\"true\" data-speed=\"50\" data-iterations-min=\"8\" data-iterations-max=\"12\" data-cycle-delay=\"3000\" data-font=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-7 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-stretch\" style=\"--awb-padding-left:25px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:48px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:48px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:20px;--awb-spacing-left-small:3.84%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-row fusion-flex-align-items-center\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><div id=\"split-flap-6a05b2ce3c912\" class=\"split-flap-display\" data-value=\"21 january 2024\" data-values=\"\" data-width=\"15\" data-size=\"xxs\" data-theme=\"dark\" data-chars=\"dark\" data-align=\"left\" data-padding=\"\" data-loop=\"true\" data-speed=\"50\" data-iterations-min=\"8\" data-iterations-max=\"12\" data-cycle-delay=\"3000\" data-font=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-8 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:8px;--awb-padding-left:26px;--awb-padding-left-small:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:22px;--awb-line-height:1;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-top:4px;--awb-margin-bottom:5px;\"><p>DURATION<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-9 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:15px;--awb-padding-bottom:8px;--awb-padding-left-small:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:3.84%;--awb-spacing-left-small:3.84%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:22px;--awb-line-height:1;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-top:4px;--awb-margin-bottom:5px;\"><p>MODE OF TRANSPORT<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-10 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-left:25px;--awb-padding-right-small:15px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:48px;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:48px;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:0%;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\"><div id=\"split-flap-6a05b2ce3cfcb\" class=\"split-flap-display\" data-value=\"19 days\" data-values=\"\" data-width=\"7\" data-size=\"xxs\" data-theme=\"dark\" data-chars=\"dark\" data-align=\"left\" data-padding=\"\" data-loop=\"true\" data-speed=\"50\" data-iterations-min=\"8\" data-iterations-max=\"12\" data-cycle-delay=\"3000\" data-font=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-11 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-stretch image-container \" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-bottom:10px;--awb-padding-left:25px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:48px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:48px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:3.84%;--awb-width-small:50%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:20px;--awb-spacing-left-small:3.84%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-row fusion-flex-align-items-center\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-margin-right:20px;--awb-max-width:45px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"55\" height=\"30\" title=\"Train 30&#215;30 White\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Train-30x30-White.webp\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1546\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-margin-right:20px;--awb-max-width:40px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"46\" height=\"30\" alt=\"Ferry icon in white\" title=\"Ferry Icon 30&#215;30 White\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Ferry-Icon-30x30-White.webp\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1542\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-margin-right:20px;--awb-max-width:45px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"54\" height=\"30\" alt=\"Bus icon in white\" title=\"Bus Icon 30&#215;30 White\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Bus-Icon-30x30-White.webp\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1540\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-max-width:40px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" alt=\"Iron Ore Train icon in white\" title=\"Ore Train Icon 30 White\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Ore-Train-Icon-30-White.webp\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1549\"\/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-12 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-left:26px;--awb-padding-left-small:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:10px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:22px;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-bottom:9px;\"><p>INFORMATION<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-13 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:10px;--awb-padding-left:25px;--awb-padding-right-small:15px;--awb-padding-left-small:15px;--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-color8);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:5px 5px 5px 5px;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:48px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:48px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:45px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:45px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:20px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:0px;--awb-spacing-left-small:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12 custom-text-2\" style=\"--awb-font-size:26px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color3);\"><p>It\u2019s not about the destination.<br \/>\nIt\u2019s about the layers of sand in your teeth.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-overflow:hidden;--awb-bg-color:rgba(253,252,252,0);--awb-bg-color-hover:rgba(253,252,252,0);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-radius:10px 10px 10px 10px;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:4.8%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0.5%;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.2%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:20px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:20px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-video fusion-selfhosted-video\" style=\"max-width:100%;\"><div class=\"video-wrapper\"><video playsinline=\"true\" width=\"100%\" style=\"object-fit: cover;\" autoplay=\"true\" muted=\"true\" loop=\"true\" preload=\"auto\"><source src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ore-Train-Square.webm\" type=\"video\/webm\"><source src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ore-Train-Square.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\">Sorry, your browser doesn&#039;t support embedded videos.<\/video><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/header><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-bottom:172px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:60px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:19px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:4.8%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:4.8%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two responsive-title-h2-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">A pure and raw adventure<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p>After driving an electric car to Australia and taking the train all the way to Asia, I set my sights on a new challenge: travelling to Africa without ever boarding a plane.<\/p>\n<p>So, I stumbled upon the Mauritanian Iron Ore Train, aka the Sahara Express. A 17-hour wild ride on a cargo wagon, like you\u2019re auditioning for <i>Mad Max: Sahara Edition<\/i>. Naturally, I thought, \u2018That sounds like my kind of holiday.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>I was captivated by its raw, unfiltered adventure. The idea of traversing one of the harshest landscapes on Earth in an open-air iron ore wagon was irresistible. I did my research and found out getting there was surprisingly easy, or maybe that\u2019s just my low standards talking.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-flex-column fusion-no-small-visibility\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:16.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:41.472%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:11.52%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:27.648%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_5 1_5 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-stretch fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:20%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:4.8%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:9.6%;--awb-width-medium:20%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:4.8%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:9.6%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.3\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><style>\n.vimeo-rounded-wrapper {\n  width: 100%;\n  max-width: 350px; \/* or whatever you need *\/\n  aspect-ratio: 9 \/ 16; \/* modern way to preserve 9:16 ratio *\/\n  border-radius: 10px;\n  overflow: hidden;\n  position: relative;\n}\n\n.vimeo-rounded-wrapper iframe {\n  width: 100%;\n  height: 100%;\n  border: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"vimeo-rounded-wrapper\">\n  <iframe \n    src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1038914516\" \n    frameborder=\"0\" \n    allowfullscreen>\n  <\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_5 1_5 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-stretch fusion-animated\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:20%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:9.6%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:4.8%;--awb-width-medium:20%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:9.6%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:4.8%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-animationType=\"fadeInUp\" data-animationDuration=\"0.3\" data-animationDelay=\"0.2\" data-animationOffset=\"top-into-view\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-aspect-ratio:9 \/ 16;--awb-object-position:41% 50%;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none has-aspect-ratio\" style=\"border-radius:15px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" title=\"Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania.webp\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3270 img-with-aspect-ratio\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\".fusion-image-element\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-in-Atar-Mauritania.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-top-small:30px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-20px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-20px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three responsive-title-h3-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">The route<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p>Starting in Amsterdam, I took the Eurostar to Paris, followed by a TGV that transported me to Barcelona, where I stayed overnight.<\/p>\n<p>On the second day, two more trains carried me south to Tarifa, where I caught a ferry to Tangier. Within 24 hours, I found myself stepping onto African soil.<\/p>\n<p>From Marrakech, I ventured deeper into the heart of Mauritania, navigating the desert by buses and minivans, before finally reaching the starting point of my glamorous iron ore train adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-7 hover-type-none\" style=\"border-radius:10px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" title=\"Route Mauritanian Iron Ore Train\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-200x113.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-400x225.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-800x450.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Route-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:85px;--awb-padding-bottom:98px;--awb-padding-top-medium:50px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:50px;--awb-padding-top-small:30px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">The journey<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:40px;\"><h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;margin:0;letter-spacing:-1.9px;font-size:1em;\">From the Netherlands to Mauritania by public transport<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-bottom:165px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:60px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-top-small:30px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:18px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-20px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-20px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-6 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three responsive-title-h3-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">Morocco<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p>Just 36 hours after leaving Amsterdam, I found myself in Morocco, a whole new world waiting to be discovered. My first stop was Tangier, where the city\u2019s irresistible charm lies in its labyrinth of alleys. Getting lost there felt more like a requirement than an accident.<\/p>\n<p>From Tangier, I hopped on a super-fast French TGV to Casablanca. Booking tickets online was easy, and the modern train stations took me by surprise. Traveling by train in Morocco turned out to be really smooth and efficient. From Casablanca, I boarded a local train to Marrakech. They\u2019re even building a new high-speed line but the current five-hour ride is already pretty great.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:50%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:400px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-8 hover-type-none\" style=\"border-radius:10px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"641\" height=\"800\" alt=\"Wiebe Wakker standing on the market of Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech, Morocco.\" title=\"Wiebe Wakker at Jemaa el-Fnaa\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Jemaa-el-Fnaa.webp\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Jemaa-el-Fnaa-200x250.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Jemaa-el-Fnaa-240x300.webp 240w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Jemaa-el-Fnaa-400x499.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Jemaa-el-Fnaa-600x749.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Jemaa-el-Fnaa.webp 641w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 641px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-bottom:149px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:70px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-top-small:30px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:0px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-20px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-20px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-7 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three responsive-title-h3-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">The Western Sahara<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-16\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p>Or\u00a0<i>Sahara Maroccain<\/i>, as I was firmly corrected by an angry taxi driver. It\u2019s a disputed area, after all. This surreal landscape felt like stepping into another dimension, endless stretches of rugged desert, only occasionally interrupted by glimpses of civilization: a modest tent, a dilapidated police checkpoint, or a herd of wild camels.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d heard all kinds of warnings about this region: \u201cIt\u2019s dangerous!\u201d they said. Reality? The only danger I faced was being blinded by the sheer beauty of the dunes.<\/p>\n<p>The border crossing? Let\u2019s just say it was a test of patience and resilience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"awb-gallery-wrapper awb-gallery-wrapper-1 button-span-no\" style=\"--more-btn-alignment:center;\"><div style=\"margin:-5px;--awb-bordersize:0px;--awb-border-radius:10px;\" class=\"fusion-gallery fusion-gallery-container fusion-grid-2 fusion-columns-total-3 fusion-gallery-layout-masonry fusion-gallery-1\"><div class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-grid-sizer\"><\/div><div style=\"padding:5px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-element-landscape\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara.webp\" rel=\"noreferrer\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[gallery_image_1]\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" target=\"_self\"><div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara.webp);padding-top:calc((100% + 10px) * 0.4 - 5px);background-position:;\" class=\"fusion-masonry-element-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara.webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"\" title=\"Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara\" aria-label=\"Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Man-walking-on-highway-in-Western-Sahara.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 640px) 1200px, \" \/><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding:5px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-element-grid\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara.webp\" rel=\"noreferrer\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[gallery_image_1]\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" target=\"_self\"><div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara.webp);padding-top:calc((100% + 10px) * 0.8 - 5px);background-position:;\" class=\"fusion-masonry-element-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara.webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"\" title=\"Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara\" aria-label=\"Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Camel-Sign-in-the-Western-Sahara.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 712px) 598px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, \" \/><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding:5px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-element-grid\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing.webp\" rel=\"noreferrer\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[gallery_image_1]\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" target=\"_self\"><div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing.webp);padding-top:calc((100% + 10px) * 0.8 - 5px);background-position:;\" class=\"fusion-masonry-element-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing.webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"\" title=\"Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing\" aria-label=\"Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Morocco-Mauritania-border-crossing.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 712px) 598px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, \" \/><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:104px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:60px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:0px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-9 hover-type-none\" style=\"border-radius:10px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" alt=\"Wiebe Wakker standing on a rock overlooking the desert and the Ben Amera monolith in Mauritania.\" title=\"Wiebe Wakker at Ben Amera, Mauritania\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania.webp\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania-200x113.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania-400x225.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania-600x338.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania-800x450.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Ben-Amera-Mauritania.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-8 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-bottom:155px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:61px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-top-small:30px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:0px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-20px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-20px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-8 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three responsive-title-h3-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">Mauritania<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-17\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p data-start=\"61\" data-end=\"235\">Mauritania doesn\u2019t ease you in. I arrived in Nouakchott, a city that feels more like a dust storm with traffic. It\u2019s chaotic, raw, and oddly captivating.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"237\" data-end=\"400\">From there, I travelled inland to Terjit, a hidden oasis where palm trees and cool springs appear like a desert mirage. Pure magic after days of heat and dust.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"402\" data-end=\"535\">Further on stood Ben Amera, one of the world\u2019s largest monoliths, rising from the sand like it crash-landed from another planet.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"537\" data-end=\"599\">Mauritania was harsh, beautiful, and completely unforgettable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-15 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"awb-gallery-wrapper awb-gallery-wrapper-2 button-span-no\" style=\"--more-btn-alignment:center;\"><div style=\"margin:-10px;--awb-bordersize:0px;--awb-border-radius:10px;\" class=\"fusion-gallery fusion-gallery-container fusion-grid-2 fusion-columns-total-3 fusion-gallery-layout-masonry fusion-gallery-2\"><div class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-element-grid fusion-grid-sizer\"><\/div><div style=\"padding:10px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-element-grid\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania.webp);padding-top:calc((100% + 20px) * 0.8 - 10px);background-position:;\" class=\"fusion-masonry-element-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"Wiebe Wakker with the Terjit Oasis behind him during sunset.\" title=\"Wiebe Wakker at Terjit Oasis, Mauritania\" aria-label=\"Wiebe Wakker at Terjit Oasis, Mauritania\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-at-Terjit-Oasis-Mauritania.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 712px) 595px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, \" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding:10px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-element-grid\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis.webp);padding-top:calc((100% + 20px) * 0.8 - 10px);background-position:;\" class=\"fusion-masonry-element-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"A girl with a handmade toy in Terjit Oasis, Mauritania.\" title=\"A girl in Terjit Oasis\" aria-label=\"A girl in Terjit Oasis\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/A-girl-in-Terjit-Oasis.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 712px) 595px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, \" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding:10px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none fusion-element-landscape\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott.webp);padding-top:calc((100% + 20px) * 0.4 - 10px);background-position:49% 22%;\" class=\"fusion-masonry-element-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott.webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"A tuktuk carrying people through Nouakchott, Mauritania.\" title=\"Tuktuk in Nouakchott\" aria-label=\"Tuktuk in Nouakchott\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tuktuk-in-Nouakchott.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 640px) 1200px, \" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-9 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-bottom:159px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:60px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-top-small:30px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:30px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-20px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-20px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-16 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-9 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three responsive-title-h3-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">The Iron Ore Train<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-18\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p>After buses, trains, and a whirlwind of new experiences, it was time for the main event: hitching a ride on the Mauritanian Iron Ore Train. 3km long, it\u2019s one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world and anyone can hop on for free, locals use it to transport themselves, goods and even camels.<\/p>\n<p>Climbing aboard the open-air wagon, I found myself surrounded by massive mounds of ore. No seats, no shelter, just you, the iron, and the endless horizon. As the train rattled through the Sahara, the scenery was both mesmerizing and brutal. Sandstorms would whip across the desert, occasionally turning the landscape into an impenetrable blur. At other times, the view stretched on forever.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-17 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-10 hover-type-none\" style=\"border-radius:10px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"Wiebe Wakker on the Mauritanian Iron Ore Train\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-1588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-10 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-bottom:154px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-medium:64px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-padding-top-small:30px;--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-bottom-small:31px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 20px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-20px \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-20px \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-18 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-10 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three responsive-title-h3-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">End of the line<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-19\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p>After 17 hours and 800km, I reached Nouadhibou. The end of the line, where the iron ore is loaded onto ships for its next journey.<\/p>\n<p>In the taxi to the hotel, I looked in the mirror, I didn\u2019t recognize myself anymore. I was completely black and covered in ore. In my ears, nose, hair, and everywhere else. A new look that I call \u2018industrial chic.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Exhausted? Absolutely. Dirty? For sure. Happy? Weirdly, yes. I wish the ride had lasted longer. Of the 17 hours, only 4.5 hours were in daylight. It\u2019s like buying a ticket for a blockbuster and then spending most of it with your eyes closed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-19 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:10px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:10px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:10px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:10px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:10px;--awb-spacing-left-small:10px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"awb-gallery-wrapper awb-gallery-wrapper-3 button-span-no\" style=\"--more-btn-alignment:center;\"><div style=\"margin:-5px;--awb-bordersize:0px;--awb-border-radius:10px;\" class=\"fusion-gallery fusion-gallery-container fusion-grid-2 fusion-columns-total-4 fusion-gallery-layout-grid fusion-gallery-3\"><div style=\"padding:5px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" rel=\"noreferrer\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[gallery_image_3]\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" target=\"_self\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"Selfie of Wiebe Wakker riding the Mauritanian Iron Ore Train.\" title=\"Wiebe Wakker on the Iron Ore Train\" aria-label=\"Wiebe Wakker on the Iron Ore Train\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-the-Iron-Ore-Train.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 712px) 598px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, \" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding:5px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" rel=\"noreferrer\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[gallery_image_3]\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" target=\"_self\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"Wiebe Wakker standing on a carriage of the Mauritanian Iron Ore Train, riding through the Sahara desert.\" title=\"Wiebe Wakker on a carriage of the Mauritanian Iron Ore Train\" aria-label=\"Wiebe Wakker on a carriage of the Mauritanian Iron Ore Train\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-on-a-carriage-of-the-Mauritanian-Iron-Ore-Train.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 712px) 598px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, \" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div><div style=\"padding:5px;\" class=\"fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-2 hover-type-none\"><div class=\"fusion-gallery-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-the-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" rel=\"noreferrer\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[gallery_image_3]\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" target=\"_self\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-the-Iron-Ore-Train.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"Wiebe Wakker 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ore.\" title=\"Wiebe Wakker after riding the Iron Ore Train\" aria-label=\"Wiebe Wakker after riding the Iron Ore Train\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-3343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wiebe-Wakker-after-riding-the-Iron-Ore-Train.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 712px) 598px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, \" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-11 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-right:45px;--awb-padding-left:45px;--awb-padding-right-medium:20px;--awb-padding-left-medium:20px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-20 fusion_builder_column_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:4.8%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:4.8%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-11 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three responsive-title-h3-alt\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-font-size:60px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left\" style=\"font-family:&quot;Inter&quot;;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;margin:0;font-size:1em;\">Why did I do it this way?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-20\" style=\"--awb-font-size:20px;--awb-line-height:1.3;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);\"><p data-start=\"164\" data-end=\"497\">Why travel thousands of kilometres across deserts, borders, and questionable bus routes\u2026 without flying?<br data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"271\" \/>Why ride <em data-start=\"280\" data-end=\"288\">on top<\/em> of a train through the Sahara with no roof, no seat, and absolutely no shade?<br data-start=\"366\" data-end=\"369\" \/>Why sleep on floors, take detours through places most people can\u2019t point out on a map, and miss the comfort of an easy flight?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"816\">Because I wanted to challenge the idea that adventure requires convenience.<br data-start=\"574\" data-end=\"577\" \/>Because the planet doesn\u2019t need more short cuts, it needs more long journeys with purpose.<br data-start=\"668\" data-end=\"671\" \/>Because when you take the slow road, you see things you\u2019d never see from 30,000 feet. You meet people. You collect stories. You rediscover awe.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"818\" data-end=\"885\">And maybe, just maybe, because I enjoy doing things the hard way.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"887\" data-end=\"980\">Was it always fun? No.<br data-start=\"909\" data-end=\"912\" \/>Was it worth it? Every single dusty, sweaty, unforgettable second.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-21 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"vimeo-horizontal-wrapper\">\n  <iframe \n    src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1038893036?api=1&background=1\" \n    frameborder=\"0\" \n    allowfullscreen>\n  <\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1588,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3244","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3244"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3244\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.wiebewakker.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}